"I said I'm fine!"

"Oh really? Then why are you crying? Why can I see how hurt you are? Karl, you are struggling and you don't need to hide that.", Sapnap pulled him into a hug, "Not with me"

Karl pushed against his chest. "I'm fine!", he yelled and with a painful sob he repeated, "I'm- fine..." "Karl, you're not fine and that's okay. You can't be okay all the time", gently Sapnap kissed his head, "I want to help you feel better, even if all I can do is hug you for now"

"I have to be- I have to be okay", Karl sobbed, "I can't break, I- I'm okay, I know I am, I have to be- I need to be"

Sapnap pulled him closer, hoped the pressure would ground Karl and slowly swayed him left and right. "Karl, I know you are trying really hard, I know that you want to okay for everyone else, but right now you're not. You are struggling, you hit a dead end and I need you to accept that. You're human, you can't be okay every day of your life. It's your time for a break now, you turn to find out what you need and want."

Karl shook his head, as tears stained his cheeks. Sapnap carefully nudged Karls chin, met his eyes and said: "You're struggling and you need help, before it hurts even worse. You were working so hard on being perfect, that you forgot about yourself and your personal struggles. You can't safe everyone, you can't always be perfect."

Karl finally relaxed in his grasp, head leaning against his chest with a defeated sob.

"It's gonna be okay. I will help you get better, I'll be there for you every step of the way", Sapnap promised, gently kissing Karls head.